Migraines Linked to High Sodium Concentrations in the Cerebrospinal Fluid

Highlights:

Higher concentrations of sodium in
cerebrospinal fluid can help diagnose a migraine

Cerebral sodium MRI can be used as
a technique help in the diagnosis and understanding of migraines

Migraine affects about 18 percent
of women and 6 percent of men.

People with migraine have higher
concentrations of sodium in their cerebrospinal fluid compared to people
without the condition, finds a study conducted by a team of radiologists. The
team used a technique called cerebral sodium MRI for the study.

Migraines are
often misdiagnosed with other headache disorders. Thus, scientists have been
working on to develop an effective diagnostic tool for migraine. "It would
be helpful to have a diagnostic tool supporting or even diagnosing migraine and
differentiating migraine from all other types of headaches," said study
author Melissa Meyer, M.D., radiology resident at the Institute of Clinical
Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Mannheim and Heidelberg
University in Heidelberg, Germany.

Cerebral Sodium MRI

The research team explored a magnetic
resonance technique called cerebral sodium MRI to diagnose and understand
migraine attacks. Studies have shown that sodium plays an important role in the
brain chemistry.

Migraines Linked to High Sodium Concentrations in the Cerebrospinal Fluid

The team recruited 12 women with a mean age
of 34, who had been clinically evaluated for migraine. The participants filled
out a questionnaire on migraine regarding its length, intensity, frequency and
accompanying auras. The study also involved a control group of 12 healthy women
of similar age.

Participants in both the groups underwent
cerebral sodium MRI. The team analyzed the sodium concentrations of migraine
patients and healthy controls. There were no statistical differences between
the two groups for sodium concentrations in the gray and white matter, brain
stem, and cerebellum. However, they found a significant difference in sodium
concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (fluid that surrounds the brain and
spinal cord). Cerebrospinal fluid act as a cushion for the brain and also
ensures chemical stability for proper brain function.

The findings of the study might facilitate
the challenging diagnosis of a migraine. The research team hopes to conduct
future studies to learn more about the link between migraines and higher sodium
concentration.

"As this was an exploratory study, we
plan to examine more patients, preferably during or shortly after a migraine
attack, for further validation," said Dr Meyer.

The findings of the study were presented at
the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

Migraine

A migraine is
one of the most common headache disorders, headache disorders that can
cause severe throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. The condition is
accompanied by nausea, vomiting, vision changes and extreme sensitivity to
light and sound.

Diagnosis of a migraine is challenging
because the characteristics of migraines and the types of attacks vary widely
among patients. Most of the patients with migraine are undiagnosed and
untreated. But, in contrast, some patients are treated with migraine
medications even though they suffer from a different type of a headache.

The symptoms of a migraine may vary from
person to person and the attacks differ in length and frequency.

Common
Triggers of A migraine

Some of the common triggers of a migraine are hormonal changes, stress, depression, anxiety, medications, lack of
sleep, alcohol, loud noises, second-hand smoke, and bright lights. Diet-related
triggers for a migraine are caffeine, chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and
processed foods that contain the additive tyramine.

Facts on Migraine

Migraine affects about 18 percent
of women and 6 percent of men

A migraine attack may last from
four to 72 hours

Migraine can have an impact on
work, family and social lives

About 70 to 90% of the people experience
migraine without aura

Migraine with aura is common which
has additional neurological symptoms

Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance causing low blood sodium levels. It is a dangerous condition that causes fluid retention in the brain leading to coma or even death. The causes, symptoms and treatment of hyponatremia are described below.

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